Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-19
THE DAYS OF 40.
Annual Reunion of the New York Society
of California Pioneers

Annual Reunion of the New York Society
of California Pioneers.
New YORK, January 19th-A. M.-Tbe
thirty-nipth anniversary of the discovery
of gold at Suffers mill was celebrated by
the New York Society of California Pio-
neers by dinner at Martinelli's last even
ing. That interest in these annual dinners
does not flag was shown by the large
number present. Over fifty gray
headed. gray-bearded gentlemen were
seated around the table. The newly
elected Vice-President, General John
IS. Ellis, sailed for Europe on the 4th'
inst, to place his wife under Pasteurs
treatment, she having been bitten by pet
dog. Ex-President Strong presided: On
his right sat Generals Sherman and Scho-
field and Ex-Governor Mccormick of Ari-
zona. On his left were Charles Crocker
and Hon. Mark Wilbur. The walls of the
dining room contained the names of early
mining camps and towns, those of the firms
in business in San Francisco in 40, and the
menu cards bore pictures of the discovery of
gold at Suffers Mill. After the discussion
of the elaborate dinner, Secretary Clark
read letters of regret from T. NJ. Willsie,
General A. G. Gibson, Commodore Ban
croft, G Hardi G. G. Cotton, w. A. Soeber,
e. f. BealI, General T. W. Tweeny and
Senator Stanford. The latter pleaded pub
lie business, and thanked the society for its
Kind iry;ta.iop
Among the old Californians present We're
Francis D. Clark, John A. WEIGH, Edward
r. Anthony, E. W. Crowell Daniel w.
Clegg, a. C. Ferris, John Gault, A. T.
Goodell, Hon. II. Harris, Joseph 3. Hill,
James J. McCloskey, Richard j. Pauiison,
Joseph J. Spinney, H. B. Scharmann. Hon.
Dennis Strong, Harry l.. Twiggs, William
NJ. Walton, Henry Wilson, Stephen l..
Merckont and Charles W. Schumann.
Hon. Dennis Strong extended welcome
to the guests, and said the object of the
reunion was to cement old friendships and
revive, as far as possible. the days of 40.
California of to-day is not the California of
10. There were the same mountains,
gulches and canyons, but these are not the
days of rocker and pan. The old sense of
freedom and delight can no more inspire
the traveller of latter days.
General Sherman, in response to the
toast, Early Experiences in California" !"
convulsed the room with stories of 40.
He said q You pioneers think you know
it all, but you don't. Charles O'Malley
the Irish dragoon, had as much to do with
the Mexican war as you had. / assure you
that Lever book made IN ore fools in the
Mexican war than any book that was ever
written" The General talked for twenty
minutes of The old times on the Pacific
slope, giving way to Ex-Governor MoCor
mack, OF Arizona.
Charles Crocker responded to the toast
THE Iron Road Across the Continent"
He eulogized California, and said that New
Workers are just beginning to learn the ca
pacity of California. He spoke of what
the wine industry has become, and would
be in very few years, and finally said he
would rather talk of California's future
than of the railroad which he represented.
Secretary Clark gave an account OF his
recent visit to the Pacific coast after an ab-
sence Of thirty years.
District Attorney Wilbur, of Brooklyn,
gave some early "reminiscences, after which
the Song of the Argonauts - was sung by
the entire society. the members joining
hands around the table.